Army veteran Ron Williams, who is running for Madison County state’s attorney, speaks out against discrimination against veterans who have served their country at the rally held on the steps of the mall outside the administration building in Edwardsville Friday. less

Army veteran Ron Williams, who is running for Madison County state’s attorney, speaks out against discrimination against veterans who have served their country at the rally held on the steps of the mall ... more

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Sandra Doerr of Grafton, mother of Major Bradley Lavite, who has been banned from his work office in the Madison County Administration Building, wipes away a tear Friday at a rally attended by veterans from across the area protesting the treatment of Lavite and other veterans who have suffered injuries serving in the U.S. military. less

Sandra Doerr of Grafton, mother of Major Bradley Lavite, who has been banned from his work office in the Madison County Administration Building, wipes away a tear Friday at a rally attended by veterans from ... more

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Sides clash over vet administrator banned from office

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EDWARDSVILLE — A group of an estimated 30 people dressed in patriotic and military garb rallied Friday at the Madison County Courthouse to urge county officials to allow Brad Lavite, the superintendent of the Madison County Veterans’ Assistance Commission, back into the Administration Building.

“Vets lives matter!,” members of the group chanted during the rally. The event was attended by Kurt Prenzler, a Republican candidate for Madison County Board chairman and Ron Williams, a Republican candidate for state’s attorney.

Prenzler spoke of the assistance veterans may receive on their tax bills if they visit Lavite, who is performing his duties outside the Administration Building. He introduced speakers, including any member of the four branches of service, who wished to speak.

County officials banned Lavite from the building after he was arrested by Wood River police after a disturbance at his home. Police recorded Lavite in the back seat of a squad car, kicking the windows and threatening to kill an arresting officer. County officials said he has made threatening remarks to others in his office.

Williams said people don’t understand the problems veterans go through, serving in combat. Williams is a retired career military officer and former criminal defense attorney. He said Lavite has won a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart and that county officials should be more understanding of Lavite’s problems.

He claimed county officials banned Lavite because they want to “control the money.” Lavite is under the Madison County Vetrans’ Assistance Commission, which receives taxpayers’ money to hire Lavite and others, but which is not under the county’s control. The commissioners are elected from members of local veterans’ organizations.

The rallyers also blasted County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan for his decision to keep Lavite out of the building.

Dunstan said Friday that Lavite is still being paid from revenue from county taxpayers. He said he also admires Lavite for his service in the military and as a leader of the Veterans’ Commission. He said Prenzler and Williams are exploiting Lavite’s situation for political purposes.

He said he and other county officials are seeking to work out a way for Lavite to return, but the Madison County Veterans’ Commission will not cooperate. He said he and other county officials, including some Republican board members want Lavite’s doctor to view a tape show Lavite violently kicking at a squad car window and threatening to murder a police officers.

He said that, if the doctor can view the tape and still clear Lavite for duty, then he could come back into the building. He said two doctors appointed by the county have examined Lavite and found him unable to come back.

“This is not about Brad Lavite or PTSD; this is about public safety,” Dunstan said. He noted that, if Lavite were to commit a violent act on county property, the taxpayers would be legally liable at taxpayers’ expense.

Williams said many people with mental disabilities go in and out of the Administration Building and courthouse every day. Republican County Board Member Mick Madison said that Lavite has served two combat tours of duty and has been awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

Several speakers praised Lavite’s character and dedication to his duty to veterans. They said the banishment made him even more sensitive to the plight of veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Lavite’s sister, Misty Biciocchi, a nurse, said people with mental health issues should, in general, be treated with more fairness and compassion. She said her brother is even more committed than ever to the cause of veterans’ assistance.

The case is in the midst of a civil case in which Lavite has sued to regain access to the building. Associate Judge Steve Stobbs ruled the case should be dismissed, but the Fifth Appellate Court sent the case back for trial.